Online services may be unavailable on occasions during Saturday 26th May 2012 and Sunday 27th May 2012 due to essential maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience caused and we'll be aiming to minimize any distruption.

Licences for businesses carrying out skin piercing.

If you offer tattooing, semi-permanent skin colouring, cosmetic piercing, or electrolysis you must be registered with the Council.
If you work from premises, they must also be registered.
Once registered, you will be issued with a certificate of registration.

Eligibility Criteria
You must provide specific information including details of your premises and any previous convictions for practicing without a licence in this field.

To get a licence, your business must reach our standards on:

  • Hygiene
  • Safe disposal of waste
  • Training and information for staff and customers

The Officer will be assessing your business against the guidance issued for PDF file Body Piercing (1097KB - 22 August 2011 - PDF Help), PDF file Tattooing (1269KB - 22 August 2011 - PDF Help) or PDF file Micropigmentation (957KB - 22 August 2011 - PDF Help).

A fee of £75 is charged.

Application Evaluation Process
Once we have received your application, an Environmental Health Officer will visit you. During the visit, the officer will discuss with you:

  • The treatments you want to offer
  • Meet the staff who will be carrying out the treatment
  • Carry out an inspection of the premises and equipment that will be used for the treatment
  • See evidence that the staff have the right qualifications to carry out the treatment

Will Tacit Consent Apply?
No. It is in the public interest that the Council must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us within ten working days please contact us using the contact details at the top of the page.

Application Form
You can download a copy of the application form PDF file here (103KB - 22 August 2011 - PDF Help)

Refusal to issue a license, or ‘unreasonable’ conditions imposed on a license
Please contact us to discuss why you have been refused a license or if you think we have asked for an unreasonable condition.

If you are not happy with our decision, you can appeal to the County Court. A court may give directions on the issue of a licence, or on conditions set on a license.

Consumer Complaints
We would always advise that you ontact the business first - preferably in writing (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you live in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Our byelaws are due to be updated shortly to reflect the increase in popularity of various forms of skin piercing.

Page last updated on 25 May 2012